In the pre-war era, few manufacturers were as synonymous with the traditional British sports car as MG—and few models represented the freedom they offered better than the Midget.

Lightweight and nimble, these basic yet engaging machines opened the door of sports car ownership to the average enthusiast from 1929 until the last-of-the-line TF in 1955.

Launched in 1936 as successor to the PB Midget, the TA Midget was an altogether larger and roomier car.

Longer in the wheelbase at 94", the simple chassis followed established Midget practice with semi-elliptic springing all round, though the use of hydraulic dampers at the front and the adoption of Lockheed hydraulic brakes were new departures.

Although styled in a manner MG enthusiasts had come to expect, the new two-seater broke with tradition by employing an overhead-valve engine instead of the previous overhead-camshaft type.

The TA was introduced after Nuffield's takeover of MG and utilised the 10hp 1,292cc four-cylinder Wolsele...